New Meadowbank closer under revised costings

A new Meadowbank Sports Centre has moved closer after Edinburgh City Council revealed that the shortfall in funding has reduced sharply.

Rather than find up to £19.8 million towards an overall cost of £43m, the council now needs to find £6.8m and total cost has been revised to £42m.

The council said the new figures were a result of increasing land values, a modified and re-costed design and the lack of significant issues resulting from the intrusive ground survey.

Council leader Andrew Burns said: “This new figure is really encouraging and gives everyone hope that a new Meadowbank fit for the 21st Century can now become a reality.

“Obviously there is still a long way to go with a project of this scale but I want to assure everyone that the Council is committed to continue our exciting work on redeveloping Meadowbank.

“We will continue to explore all funding options to find the required £6.8m so the existing facility can be demolished and transformed into a new sports complex that would serve the sporting needs of the residents of Edinburgh and the east of Scotland.”

The current stadium, built for the 1970 Commonwealth Games at a cost of £2.8m and later used for the 1986 event, will be replaced by a new facility that will include:

Funding support will come from SportScotland; revenue savings to the council from closing the facilities during construction; borrowing based on forecasts for net income and through the sale of surplus land at Meadowbank.

Demolition could begin in autumn next year with a new Meadowbank opening in Spring 2018.